title: Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation, vascular function and risk factors for cardiovascular disease: a randomized controlled trial in young adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A high consumption of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), has been suggested to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, while DHA supplementation may have benefits for secondary prevention, few studies have investigated the role of DHA in the primary prevention of CVD. Here, we tested the hypothesis that DHA supplementation improves endothelial function and risk factors for CVD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Healthy volunteers (n=328), aged 18 to 37 years, were randomly assigned to 1.6 g DHA/day (from a microalgae source) together with 2.4 g/day carrier oil (index group) or to 4.0 g/day olive oil (control) (both given in eight 500-mg capsules/day for 16 weeks). Flow-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery (primary outcome) was measured before and after the intervention (n=268) using high-resolution vascular ultrasound. FMD was the same in both groups at randomization (mean, SD; 0.27, 0.1 mm), but postintervention was higher in the control group (0.29, 0.1 mm) compared with the DHA-supplemented group (0.26, 0.1 mm; mean difference -0.03 mm; 95% CI -0.005 to -0.06 mm; P=0.02). Of other outcomes, only triglyceride (mean difference -28%, 95% CI -40% to -15%; P<0.0001) and very low-density lipoprotein concentrations were significant lower in DHA-supplemented individuals compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DHA supplementation did not improve endothelial function in healthy, young adults. Nevertheless, lower triglyceride concentrations with DHA supplementation was consistent with previous reports and could have benefits for the prevention of CVD.
authors.affiliation: The Childhood Nutrition Research Center, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
authors.forename: Atul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singhal
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lanigan
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Storry
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Birbara
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deanfield
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000009:adverse effects; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL / Q000097:blood; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D008079:Lipoproteins, VLDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids
keywords: atherosclerosis; docosahexaenoic acid; endothelial function